two thousand and five- a summary
Though he didn't ask me to, I am going to pretend BEVIS picked to do this...
1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?
Travelled round Australia on a motorbike- two up. Bought engagement ring. Placed said ring on Rachel's finger. Going on air during MotoGP as specialist commentator.
2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Tone and Annie had a little fella- Ollie. He's going rather well by all accounts.
3. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but I was really saddened by the deaths of : Hunter S. Thompson and Van Nguyen. Both could have been avoided.
On a global scale, the continuing Iraqi situation makes me think Vietnam, Vietnam. Exit strategy George! The Tsunami, Bali and London bombings with the Pakistan earthquake makes one simultaneously praise and curse global real time communications. On the one hand I don't want to see it, on the other hand I must.
4. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory?
Ha! Round Oz of course. Tip of Cape York :)
5. Best thing you bought?
Intercom for motorbike. Followed closely by iPod and BMW R1100GS. Oh and 21" monitor- a big old school monitor, but it's soo good- a 51cm TV essentially!
6. Where did most of your money go?
Retiring debt, buying toys.
7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Windsurfing, exercise, mountainbiking, writing and sleeping.
8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Sleeping, Halo 2, goofing around with PC, annoying Rachel.
9. What kept you sane?
Rachel, The Speed Triple, Duncan, and Halo 2.
Blogs:
- Bek Violence never ensued. She's too nice I suspect
- BEVIS A nerdier thomasr?
- The Superficial Bitch, bitch, bitch!
- Pink Is the New Blog Wonderful funny celeb blog
- I'm On Your Computer The best journalist ever.
- Stephen Sarre Technically MY blog, but hey!
- Ms Fits The funny, sexy, cute Ms Fits!
- Melbourne Girl Life from M-Town
- Bungie.org- Fansite for Halo 2 and related
- Crikey.com
- Rick Gervais Show <- new podcasts! - Lavartus Prodeo
- Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle travel blogs.
- Mess And Noise Not a blog, but a site, not a clue why.
10. What drove you mad?
Halo 2, Rachel, the Speed Triple and Duncan.
11. What made you celebrate?
Happy days, wedding planning, house warming, Stephen's return.
And while I am on the issue of Stephen, seeing The Dukes Of Windsor fail so insipidly was almost a cause for celebration. After the acrimony and downright stupidty of The Surrogate's demise, I could breathe fire when the mere name Dukes Of Windsor was mentioned. But seeing them fail- not on JJJ, no Big Day Out prospect, a lame EP and the kicker- playing gigs at the Arthouse (where newly formed punk bands play to 10 of their mates), I actually feel sorry for them. I am going to buy their CD online so that they get at least get one sale. It must suck losing your heart (Dave Edmonds) and your brains (Stephen) and relying on a trained monkey, a homeless guy, a child with little guy syndrome and a wanker to get your success. I wish them all the best in the limited time they have left.
12. What made you sad?
The murderous execution of Van Nguyen, sedition laws, the Bali bombing, the London bombing and Andrew Bolt's ramblings.
13. How was your birthday this year?
It WILL be ok. Rachel will make an ace cake in the shape of something I like or do (previous included motorbike and golf green (with bunker)). Will be in Wartook so I guess I will go for a motorbike blast through the hills.
14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
IR laws, Terrorism laws and the continued incarceration of David Hicks.
15. Were you in love in 2005?
Was I hell!! Yes, very, very much so. My Ipod is soo great!
...Oh, yeah and Rachel too.
16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?
Stunt bike, media career and 10 kilos less.
17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
A date I can't recall in September. But trust me, it was, and is, important.
18. What song will remind you of 2005?
Audioslave: "Be Yourself" We listened to this a bit on the trip and I made it the outro music on the trip DVD. Musically fantastic and lyrically good too!
Someone falls to pieces
Sleepin all alone
Someone kills the pain
Spinning in the silence
To finally drift away
Someone gets excited
In a chapel yard
Catches a bouquet
Another lays a dozen
White roses on a grave
Even when you've paid enough
Been pulled apart or been held up
Every single memory of the good or bad
Faces of love
Don't lose any sleep tonight
I'm sure everything will end up alright
You may win or lose
¨
But to be yourself is all that you can do
Yeahhh...
To be yourself is all that you can do
Ohhhh...
To be yourself is all that you can do(all that you can do)
Heeey...
To be yourself is all that you can do(all that you can do)
To be yourself is all that you can--
Be yourself is all that you can--
Be yourself is all that you can do
19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
Holy hell yes. Much happier.
20. Biggest achievement this year?
Getting a regular gig on 3AW as motorsport correspondent. Getting published in RAPID bikes mag with a feature article.
21. Biggest disappointment this year?
Coming back to late winter Melbourne
22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
More money of course.
23. Best new person/s you met this year?
- Ms Fits
24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?
Have a red hot go. I've always had a crack, but now I really, really reckon you have to have a crack.
Sitting in Cairns, having crossed the Savannah Way, I pondered (without telling Rachel) my fears about the 900kms of dirt to Cape York. Frankly, I was more than worried- I was convinced we wouldn't make it. I decided that we had come too far to ditch it. Rachel could have easily have skipped it.
So I said "bugger it, we're off". The whole way up was a struggle. We fell so many times. It was so hot. I lost a kilo a day for 5 days. We were at times: exhausted, angry, scared, miserable, grumpy, bone-tired, filthy, sweaty, dehydrated. We were alsoexultantt, triumphant, excited and more than just a little bit pleased with ourselves. I will do it again some day, it won't be as hard, or as new, or as fresh. Perhaps I won't cry quietly to myself next time, like I did this time,
25. A question you made up yourself?: How are the mid 30s going to be?
Wow. Good question. It's like you knew my fears.
Physically:
The right knee. Man is that going to be a struggle. It's as bad as ever. Allexercisee gives me pain next day. (Last night I went for a walk along thesandn with Rachel. Maybe 2 kms of sand- sore knee today.)
Weight. For God's sake- what am I doing struggling with weight? 72 kilos for 10 odd years. Now somewhere in the region of 94kgs. Went as low as 85kgs post trip. reckon my racing weight is about 85kgs.
Otherwise, physically am ok. Just slowing down a bit. Still can go off on the windsurfer, wheelie the motorbike at 150km/h and go downhill on a mountainbike at breakneck.
Mental:
Better than ever. Vibey, in near constant state of invention and reinvention.
Career:
Piss off.
1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?
Travelled round Australia on a motorbike- two up. Bought engagement ring. Placed said ring on Rachel's finger. Going on air during MotoGP as specialist commentator.
2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Tone and Annie had a little fella- Ollie. He's going rather well by all accounts.
3. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but I was really saddened by the deaths of : Hunter S. Thompson and Van Nguyen. Both could have been avoided.
On a global scale, the continuing Iraqi situation makes me think Vietnam, Vietnam. Exit strategy George! The Tsunami, Bali and London bombings with the Pakistan earthquake makes one simultaneously praise and curse global real time communications. On the one hand I don't want to see it, on the other hand I must.
4. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory?
Ha! Round Oz of course. Tip of Cape York :)
5. Best thing you bought?
Intercom for motorbike. Followed closely by iPod and BMW R1100GS. Oh and 21" monitor- a big old school monitor, but it's soo good- a 51cm TV essentially!
6. Where did most of your money go?
Retiring debt, buying toys.
7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Windsurfing, exercise, mountainbiking, writing and sleeping.
8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Sleeping, Halo 2, goofing around with PC, annoying Rachel.
9. What kept you sane?
Rachel, The Speed Triple, Duncan, and Halo 2.
Blogs:
- Bek Violence never ensued. She's too nice I suspect
- BEVIS A nerdier thomasr?
- The Superficial Bitch, bitch, bitch!
- Pink Is the New Blog Wonderful funny celeb blog
- I'm On Your Computer The best journalist ever.
- Stephen Sarre Technically MY blog, but hey!
- Ms Fits The funny, sexy, cute Ms Fits!
- Melbourne Girl Life from M-Town
- Bungie.org- Fansite for Halo 2 and related
- Crikey.com
- Rick Gervais Show <- new podcasts! - Lavartus Prodeo
- Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle travel blogs.
- Mess And Noise Not a blog, but a site, not a clue why.
10. What drove you mad?
Halo 2, Rachel, the Speed Triple and Duncan.
11. What made you celebrate?
Happy days, wedding planning, house warming, Stephen's return.
And while I am on the issue of Stephen, seeing The Dukes Of Windsor fail so insipidly was almost a cause for celebration. After the acrimony and downright stupidty of The Surrogate's demise, I could breathe fire when the mere name Dukes Of Windsor was mentioned. But seeing them fail- not on JJJ, no Big Day Out prospect, a lame EP and the kicker- playing gigs at the Arthouse (where newly formed punk bands play to 10 of their mates), I actually feel sorry for them. I am going to buy their CD online so that they get at least get one sale. It must suck losing your heart (Dave Edmonds) and your brains (Stephen) and relying on a trained monkey, a homeless guy, a child with little guy syndrome and a wanker to get your success. I wish them all the best in the limited time they have left.
12. What made you sad?
The murderous execution of Van Nguyen, sedition laws, the Bali bombing, the London bombing and Andrew Bolt's ramblings.
13. How was your birthday this year?
It WILL be ok. Rachel will make an ace cake in the shape of something I like or do (previous included motorbike and golf green (with bunker)). Will be in Wartook so I guess I will go for a motorbike blast through the hills.
14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
IR laws, Terrorism laws and the continued incarceration of David Hicks.
15. Were you in love in 2005?
Was I hell!! Yes, very, very much so. My Ipod is soo great!
...Oh, yeah and Rachel too.
16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?
Stunt bike, media career and 10 kilos less.
17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
A date I can't recall in September. But trust me, it was, and is, important.
18. What song will remind you of 2005?
Audioslave: "Be Yourself" We listened to this a bit on the trip and I made it the outro music on the trip DVD. Musically fantastic and lyrically good too!
Someone falls to pieces
Sleepin all alone
Someone kills the pain
Spinning in the silence
To finally drift away
Someone gets excited
In a chapel yard
Catches a bouquet
Another lays a dozen
White roses on a grave
Even when you've paid enough
Been pulled apart or been held up
Every single memory of the good or bad
Faces of love
Don't lose any sleep tonight
I'm sure everything will end up alright
You may win or lose
¨
But to be yourself is all that you can do
Yeahhh...
To be yourself is all that you can do
Ohhhh...
To be yourself is all that you can do(all that you can do)
Heeey...
To be yourself is all that you can do(all that you can do)
To be yourself is all that you can--
Be yourself is all that you can--
Be yourself is all that you can do
19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
Holy hell yes. Much happier.
20. Biggest achievement this year?
Getting a regular gig on 3AW as motorsport correspondent. Getting published in RAPID bikes mag with a feature article.
21. Biggest disappointment this year?
Coming back to late winter Melbourne
22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
More money of course.
23. Best new person/s you met this year?
- Ms Fits
24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?
Have a red hot go. I've always had a crack, but now I really, really reckon you have to have a crack.
Sitting in Cairns, having crossed the Savannah Way, I pondered (without telling Rachel) my fears about the 900kms of dirt to Cape York. Frankly, I was more than worried- I was convinced we wouldn't make it. I decided that we had come too far to ditch it. Rachel could have easily have skipped it.
So I said "bugger it, we're off". The whole way up was a struggle. We fell so many times. It was so hot. I lost a kilo a day for 5 days. We were at times: exhausted, angry, scared, miserable, grumpy, bone-tired, filthy, sweaty, dehydrated. We were alsoexultantt, triumphant, excited and more than just a little bit pleased with ourselves. I will do it again some day, it won't be as hard, or as new, or as fresh. Perhaps I won't cry quietly to myself next time, like I did this time,
25. A question you made up yourself?: How are the mid 30s going to be?
Wow. Good question. It's like you knew my fears.
Physically:
The right knee. Man is that going to be a struggle. It's as bad as ever. Allexercisee gives me pain next day. (Last night I went for a walk along thesandn with Rachel. Maybe 2 kms of sand- sore knee today.)
Weight. For God's sake- what am I doing struggling with weight? 72 kilos for 10 odd years. Now somewhere in the region of 94kgs. Went as low as 85kgs post trip. reckon my racing weight is about 85kgs.
Otherwise, physically am ok. Just slowing down a bit. Still can go off on the windsurfer, wheelie the motorbike at 150km/h and go downhill on a mountainbike at breakneck.
Mental:
Better than ever. Vibey, in near constant state of invention and reinvention.
Career:
Piss off.
4 Comments:
Dukes of Windsor JTV charts last two weeks: 17, 18!
Dukes of Windsor The Others just added to Channel V!!
Sometimes a dying fish flops around in teh boat, long after it lkooks dead.
flop, flop
thomasr
oh and that song by TV Rock with Jack singing hardly counts as the Dukes
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